Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyra Vocci
Hi Kyra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Montgomery County and now reside in Towson with my husband and two sons. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business management from Washington College, I have worked for 16 years in higher education at Johns Hopkins University. Recently, I became the Administrative Manager of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI) at The Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. After the devastating loss of my sister Andrea Kolbe to suicide in December 2023, which was caused by complications from postpartum depression, I discovered Postpartum Support International online. This discovery marked the beginning of my mission to honor Andrea’s life and legacy by raising awareness and improving access to postpartum depression resources and maternal mental healthcare.
On World Maternal Mental Health Day, May 1, 2024, I proudly announced the establishment of The Andrea’s Wish Foundation at the Baltimore Community Foundation.
This foundation is dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of my sweet sister, Andrea Kolbe. Andrea was absolutely everything to me. She was my best friend, an incredible auntie to my two boys, a devoted new mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, dance teacher, and mentor. However, my sister did not receive the essential healthcare, fourth-trimester support, and therapy she urgently needed. Unfortunately, she did not open up about her struggles, likely due to feeling ashamed and embarrassed. Andrea tragically took her own life just a day after her 35th birthday, leaving behind her 3-month-old baby boy, Harbor. It is crucial for new mothers to understand that seeking help is normal and that recovery is possible. There is an urgent need for healthcare providers to receive better training to prevent such tragic outcomes. The maternal death rate in the US is increasing at an alarming rate. I strongly believe that by increasing awareness and enhancing access to resources for postpartum depression and maternal mental healthcare, we can make a positive difference in the lives of so many. The foundation’s goal is to bring hope to those affected by postpartum depression and suicide. We aim to achieve this by funding scientific research, providing scholarships for new mothers in need of maternal mental healthcare, and donating to Family Connects International. Additionally, we are committed to educating the public and advocating for public policies in maternal mental health.
The Andrea’s Wish Foundation is made possible through the generous donations of family, friends, and individuals who believe in raising awareness and improving access to resources for postpartum depression and maternal mental healthcare. We are immensely grateful to them for giving us the privilege to contribute to organizations and causes in the community that we deeply care about.
About my sister, Andrea:
Andrea Kolbe, originally from Maryland, began her dance training at the Ballet Arts of Potomac run by her godmother, Susan Wolfarth, who had studied at the Washington Ballet under Mary Day. She continued at Ballet 106 with Linda Miller formerly with the Eliot Feld Ballet Company and then moved to the American Dance Institute founded by Pamela Booth Bjerknes, a former American Ballet Theater dancer, and Michael Bjerknes, a former Joffrey Ballet principal.
Andrea attended Hofstra University, graduating with a BA in Dance where she performed works by Robin Becker, Rachel List, and Karla Wolfangle. After graduating from Hofstra University in 2010, she was the first employee of the newly established Arts in Motion Dance Center (AIM) in Melville, New York. She became a co-owner when they opened their second Northport, New York location in 2019. She taught every kind of dance including ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, hip-hop, and jazz. She was an accomplished choreographer winning many top awards, particularly in contemporary, at the various dance competitions that AIM participated in.
Andrea and Chazz Fenner-McBride, the love of her life, met while in the dance program at Hofstra. They were married on June 26, 2020. Chazz, who is an accomplished dance teacher as well, has performed with various dance companies including the Eglevsky Ballet and the Lydia Johnson Dance Company. Andrea and Chazz welcomed their sweet baby boy, Harbor, into the world on August 24, 2023. They named him after the stunning harbors they had visited during their travels and adventures. Interestingly, Andrea learned the gender of her baby while enjoying a meal at one of their favorite restaurants located on Huntington Harbor.
The heartbreak that her family, friends, and dance community have endured from her tragic passing from postpartum depression has led all who knew her to channel their grief and sadness into improving maternal health care, making information available to all mothers about the critical nature of this diagnosis, and removing the stigma that surrounds the feelings that this type of depression exhibits.
Andrea sustained herself by the love of her family, a quote of hers from an Instagram post. She was an extraordinary woman, full of passion and love for her life. She found joy in teaching dance and cherished her relationships with her parents, sisters, nephews, and friends. The beauty of sunrises and sunsets left her in awe, and she loved taking walks in the nature that surrounded her in Caumsett State Park in Huntington, NY. She also enjoyed spending time at the beach. All of these experiences made her the wonderfully sensitive and beautiful person that she was. Her legacy will live on, cherished forever by the thousands she touched with her kindness and love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The loss of my sister has been an incredibly challenging experience, the absolute worst time of my life actually. It’s unacceptable that this happened. She deserves to be here. Creating this foundation has allowed me to transform this terrible tragedy into something positive, providing hope to many and turning my grief into courage.
I am truly grateful to have crossed paths with some incredible individuals, including Megan Lally from the Ed Lally Foundation. Megan has been my guiding light, providing me with the necessary tools to organize my thoughts and propelled me into the Baltimore Community Foundation where the Andrea’s Wish Foundation was initiated.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Apart from being the founder of The Andrea’s Wish Foundation – I manage the Ralph O’Connor Sustainability Energy Institute (ROSEI) at The Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. In a nutshell, ROSEI is the university’s focal point for energy-related research and educational programs. Founded in 2021, the institute brings together the extensive energy-related activities already underway at the university and focuses on developing an impactful program to address the transformation of the energy sector to help address climate change.
I have dedicated 16 years of my career to excelling as a grants and contracts analyst at JHU. Recently, my expertise was recognized with a well-deserved promotion to administrative manager at ROSEI in September 2023. I excel in grants administration, federal grants and contracts management, financial data analysis, and strategic planning. My extensive fiscal experience with budgets, forecasting, and grant accounting solidifies my position as a strong financial planner and manager. Notably, I was honored with an Excellence Award at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering Staff Awards ceremony in 2022 for my exceptional contributions and teamwork.
I am an active member in my community and I care deeply about the well-being of others. I currently have the honor of serving as the president of my community association. Previously, I held the role of treasurer. Most recently, I was voted to be on the Board of Directors at the Postpartum Support International Maryland Chapter, where I hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
How do you think about happiness?
Feeling the sun on my face
My two incredible sons, Dominic and Jax
Laughing so hard it hurts with my sweet husband and boys
My nephew, Harbor, our lighthouse
Doing something for others
Hugging my boys
Being home with my family
Seeing a fresh coating of snow
Freshly cut grass
Hiking through the woods
Bacon cooking in the morning
A perfectly cooked steak
My vegetable garden
Rainbows
Listening to ocean waves
Stepping on crunchy autumn leaves
Firepits in the Fall
Focusing on the magic in everyday moments and appreciating the little joys with gratitude leads to increased happiness!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andreaswishfoundation.org/
- Instagram: andreaswishfoundation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557834286896
- Other: https://linktr.ee/andreaswishfoundation
